Rules of the road: How to turn when there's a bicyclist to your right

Q Can you please remind drivers of the proper way to make a right turn when a bicyclist is present? I am terrified as I bike toward an intersection and a driver to my left or behind me waits until the last moment to make his move for a right turn, often cutting me off.

A With Bike To Work Day this week, it's a good time to remind drivers about a question that motorists get wrong more than any other on DMV tests: how to make a legal and safe right turn at an intersection when a bicyclist is present.

Drivers, here is the right way to do this:

Merge into or across the bike lane before your right turn, all the way to the curb. You can do this on all streets, whether they have bike lanes or not, within 200 feet of the intersection.

If you think there's a chance that merging wouldn't give a rider behind you enough time to slow down or pass on the left, then don't do it. Slow down, and merge behind the rider to make your right turn. Treat bicyclists as if they were motorists.

Avoid pulling to the right at the last moment to turn. This "hook turn" is so dangerous for bicyclists.

Q I know cars are expected to move into the bike lane before making a right turn. However, does this mean a driver can use the bike lane as a place to wait to make a right turn on red?

A Yes, if a motorist ahead is waiting to turn right on red, the bicyclist should wait behind the driver or pull to the left of the motorist to proceed straight.

Q When making a left or right turn with traffic at a light, should a bicyclist go to the front of the line beside the first car, or stay in line behind the car? I have seen it both ways and am not certain which is the rule of the road.

A Generally, if the lane is too narrow for a car and bike to fit safely side by side, then the bicyclist should stay in the middle of the lane. If the lane is wide enough for the car and bike to fit side by side, then the bicyclist should stay on the right side of the lane.